Publication
Title
Aberrant inclusion of a poison exon causes dravet syndrome and related SCN1A-associated genetic epilepsies
Author
Institution/Organisation
EuroEPINOMICS Rare Epilepsy Syndro
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of severe epilepsies characterized by refractory seizures and developmental impairment. Sequencing approaches have identified causal genetic variants in only about 50% of individuals with DEEs.(1-3) This suggests that unknown genetic etiologies exist, potentially in the similar to 98% of human genomes not covered by exome sequencing (ES). Here we describe seven likely pathogenic variants in regions outside of the annotated coding exons of the most frequently implicated epilepsy gene, SCN1A, encoding the alpha-1 sodium channel subunit. We provide evidence that five of these variants promote inclusion of a "poison" exon that leads to reduced amounts of full-length SCN1A protein. This mechanism is likely to be broadly relevant to human disease; transcriptome studies have revealed hundreds of poison exons,(4,5) including some present within genes encoding other sodium channels and in genes involved in neurodevelopment more broadly.(6) Future research on the mechanisms that govern neuronal-specific splicing behavior might allow researchers to co-opt this system for RNA therapeutics.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The American journal of human genetics / American Society of Human Genetics [Bethesda, Md] - New York, N.Y., 1949, currens
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 2018
ISSN
0002-9297 [print]
1537-6605 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.AJHG.2018.10.023
Volume/pages
103 :6 (2018) , p. 1022-1029
ISI
000452535600015
Pubmed ID
30526861
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Allele-specific silencing of mutant KCNQ2 as a targeted treatment for KCNQ2 encephalopathy: an in vitro proof of concept study.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 18.01.2019
Last edited 02.10.2024
To cite this reference